Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or simply "Santa", is a legendary figure who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24 [1] or on his Feast Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas Day). [] The legend may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of gift giver Saint Nicholas. A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek and Byzantine folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece.Saint NicholasFather ChristmasKris Kringle legendary Western culturesgiftsChristmas EveDecember 24 [1]Feast DayDecember 6Saint Nicholas Day []hagiographicalSaint Nicholas Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or simply "Santa", is a legendary figure who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24 [1] or on his Feast Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas Day). [] The legend may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of gift giver Saint Nicholas. A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek and Byzantine folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece.Saint NicholasFather ChristmasKris Kringle legendary Western culturesgiftsChristmas EveDecember 24 [1]Feast DayDecember 6Saint Nicholas Day []hagiographicalSaint Nicholas